10 years on: Remembering the bin lorry crash which killed a Glasgow University student

As the 10 year anniversary of the Glasgow bin lorry crash passes, many are taking a moment to remember the tragedy that affected so many.

The incident occurred on the 22nd of December 2014. George Square was full of life, as it normally is in the run up to Christmas. The Christmas Market was in full swing and the streets were bustling with shoppers, however, Glasgow will never forget the events of this day. It will be remembered not just be those who witnessed them but by all of the citizens of Glasgow.

At 2:30pm, a bin lorry mounted the pavement as it travelled along Queen Street. It drove along the pavement for about 19 seconds, eventually coming to a halt as it hit the side of Millennium Hotel.

Six people were killed in the crash. Erin McQuade, 18, was an English literature student at The University of Glasgow at the time of the incident.

She was killed alongside her, both of her grandparents, Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69. The family were all residents of Dumbarton.

The university released a statement expressing their deep sadness about the accident and a memorial was held in Erin’s honour at the university chapel. Furthermore, she worked as a housekeeper at Cameron House Hotel, where her manager Allan Reich describes her as “one of our brightest and dedicated members of housekeeping staff”.

via SWNS

The three others who were killed were Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow; and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh.

A close friend of the McQuades and Sweeneys told Daily Record that the family had been on a shopping day out and that Erin’s mother had narrowly escaped the same fate.

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They said: “Erin’s mum was at the hole in the wall getting money when she heard an almighty bang and ran over to see what happened.”

Continuing, they added: “It is truly unbelievable. It went from being a happy family day out in the run-up to Christmas to an unspeakable tragedy.”

An additional 15 were injured, as the accident shook the city with may more witnesses remain traumatised by what they saw.

Journalist Catriona Stewart saw the incident unfold. She told the BBC: “There were cars fanning out, there was people lying in the street, people screaming. It was a horrific scene. When I cycle to work I cycle along Queen Street and I find that very difficult, because the memories are so vivid.

“There are things I saw that day that I’ve never talked about and probably never will, because they are very personal to the other people involved, but they are very fresh in my head.”

via SWNS

The driver Harry Clarke was tried at The Edinburgh Court of Session. During the trial, they found that Clarke had been deceptive about his previous medical history, as he had failed to disclose his history of fainting to Glasgow city council before taking the position.

He was not given jail time for the incident, with the court citing insufficient evidence. However, he was branded as “reprehensible” and received probation as well as a driving ban.

Featured image via SWNS